Meet Ayala Wolak | Co-founder of casa cacao, co-founder of Ecstatic Dance Columbus, student

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ayala Wolak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayala, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
This question has been on my mind lately. I’m in a period of flux, where I am questioning how to move forward and what that means for the business. I think back to the very beginning – why it all started in the first place. I remember sitting on the floor of the living room with my dad, decadent raw chocolates spread around, and ideas flowing through us. We bounced idea after idea until we decided it would be smart to write it all down. I have a vivid image of that paper and what was on it in my mind; our scrawling handwriting (his small in all caps and mine a twisty flow of letters), the columns of ideas for chocolates and ingredients, and at the top: casa cacao. I was in high school at the time, getting ready to leave for college in the next year or so. My parents have always encouraged me to travel, explore, and broaden my perspectives, which meant I wanted to move across the country for college. The concept for casa cacao remained an abstract, “maybe someday” idea. After moving to Oregon, and deciding it wasn’t the right fit, I found myself in Los Angeles. It was a wonderful era of reflection and growth, where I got clear on what I wanted my next steps to be. On the very same day that I outlined a plan for my future career goals (which included opening a cafe), my dad called. The space we are in now had become available and he wanted to know what I thought about it being home to casa cacao. Shortly after that phone call, I decided to move back to Columbus to open casa cacao with him and finish college at Ohio State. Since, it has been an amazing journey to get to where we are now, and this is just the beginning. casa cacao has connected community in ways I couldn’t have imagined. In addition to recognizing the mentorship of my father, I want to give a special thanks to the manager, who is a long time family friend and has majorly stepped up in helping us run the business. It has been a gift to work with people I have known my entire life and see what we create together. The entire process, through the highs and the lows, has shown me what wonderful people I am surrounded by, the value and strength of family, the intricacies and details involved with running a small business, and the overall beauty and goodness of the world. Learning this business has deepened my respect for the hard work of my parents, and the support and acceptance of the overlapping communities we are part of. It has inspired me to reach further. Especially in the lows, I find encouragement in doing this for the community, and for my family. To keep going means to give back and to create and to persevere. It means to live in gratitude and appreciate the uniqueness of each day. 

What should our readers know about your business?
Our menu is filled with drinks unseen in Columbus until now. In addition to standard drinks you may find in cafes (lattes, matcha, lemonade), we offer cacao and kava and are excited to be bringing something new to the city. Kava is a plant from the pacific islands that is made into a drink using the roots. It has been drunken for thousands of years for a variety of purposes by the islanders, and is now becoming more popular across the US as an alcohol alternative, and relaxing beverage. Our hope is to provide a space where people can connect without pressures of drinking, and instead enjoy other beverages while still being able to get out of the house and socialize.

Cacao is a tree grown in tropical areas and produces pods that contain fruit and seeds. The seeds are what chocolate as we know it is made from, though the cacao we serve is quite different. Most of the chocolate available in stores undergoes an intensive processing that strips cacao from its vitamins and minerals. When we reference cacao at casa cacao, we refer to a more pure form of chocolate, a less processed state. When the seeds are harvested from the pods, they are laid out to dry and ferment. From there, they are compressed into a paste. The paste is what we use to make cacao. Cacao is high in antioxidants, minerals such as iron and magnesium, and provides a more sustained energy than coffee.

As far as lessons go, there have been many. I’ve learned to let go of expectations and control (to an extent). I remember this being one of the lessons from my dad – that the business is going to evolve and flow in ways that we won’t be able to predict. The important part of acknowledging this is being prepared to make changes and problem solve when needed. While our vision for the business is strong, so is that of the community. And with this in mind, we are excited to become what the community/Columbus/world wants us to. casa cacao is a culmination of many experiences and stories. It is a representation of the uniqueness that we each hold and the beauty that comes when we intertwine our experiences.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Breakfast at Portia’s Cafe
Walk at the Park of Roses or Highbanks
Go to Ecstatic Dance at the Church of the Sparkling Unicorn
Coffee/Kava at casa cacao:)
Dinner at Moy’s Chinese with friends and family

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many thanks to give. This list does not account for the many people who have supported along the way; thank you to all that have helped, in any way. We are deeply grateful. To my dad, for leading, inspiring, and believing in me. The work he does in many communities is incredible and deserves much credit. To Chaneque, for his consistency, wit, and support. The entire casa cacao staff – thank you. This would not be possible without your hard work, patience, and teamwork. To Andy, Marsha, and Jill for allllll the behind the scenes work that helps us run smoothly. To Luka, for helping create a beautiful place to work at/in. To Leonardo for the amazing photos of the space. I’d also like to give a special thanks to my mom for her ongoing love and support. She has been there for me in some of my lowest moments and supports my well-being in ways that go unseen yet are crucial to my persistence. And finally, my brother for his friendship, encouragement, and all around just being a great brother.

Website: https://www.casacacaocolumbus.com/

Instagram: @casacacaocolumbus

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/casacacao.columbus/

Image Credits
Leonardo Carrizo